"
"A young woman with a very high sense of justice. A good deal under the
influence of her charming sister-in-law, I presume."
"Well, rather," returned Mrs. Ormonde, with an air of superiority.
"Katherine is a mere enthusiastic school-girl, easily imposed upon. Both
Colonel Ormonde and myself feel bound to look after her."
"Will she let you?" asked De Burgh, dryly.
"Of course she will. She knows nothing of the world, or at least very
little, for she did not go much into society while they were abroad."
"Has she been abroad?"
"Yes; Mrs. Liddell was out of health when Katherine came into this
money, and they have been away in Italy and Germany and Paris for quite
two years. They were on their way home when Mrs. Liddell was taken ill.
She died in Paris, of typhoid fever, just before Christmas."
"Two years in Italy, Germany, and Paris," repeated De Burgh; "she can't
be quite a novice, then."
"Oh, she thinks she knows a great deal; and she _is_ a nice girl, though
curious and fanciful. I like her very much indeed, but I do not fancy
_you_ would. She is certainly obstinate. Instead of coming direct to us,
and making her home here, as we were quite willing she should, she has
gone to Miss Payne, a woman who, I believe, exists by acting chaperon to
rich girls with no relations.
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